Winning With the Philidor (Batsford Chess Library)

Rating:
Summary: Great book about a good defence
Review: I'm playing the Philidor for a couple of years with the advices of Mr. Kosten in his remarkable book. I NEVER get out of the opening with a disadvantage! Philidor is in my opinion one of the most underestimated defences and it is very well covered in this book. Even against very strong opponents (GMs and IMs ) i got good positions out of the opening. I have a rating about 2100 and limited time to study. The Philidor is the perfect weapon for me, and it might be for you.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: If you open with 1. e4, e5; 2. Nf3, you may not be prepared to play against 2... d6. Also, if you are like me you may conclude that your opponent is a wimp, a novice, or both. You may be in a for a shock, as in many variations of the Philidor, black comes out looking better than he does against a Ruy Lopez. This is because white players know how to get through the Ruy opening, but often have to figure out their way against the Philidor over the board. I find that this book is really essential, and is very well-done. In many ways, I recommend this book to all chess players, because there is something so basic to chess theory, and easy to understand, about the Philidor, that it pays to study it. Plus, you will find many great 19th century games to review which include this opening. Kosten does a great job making this work entertaining, alive, with his suggestions and recommendations. A fine job by Batsford. Good bibliography and index as well. All in all, a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: If you open with 1. e4, e5; 2. Nf3, you may not be prepared to play against 2... d6. Also, if you are like me you may conclude that your opponent is a wimp, a novice, or both. You may be in a for a shock, as in many variations of the Philidor, black comes out looking better than he does against a Ruy Lopez. This is because white players know how to get through the Ruy opening, but often have to figure out their way against the Philidor over the board. I find that this book is really essential, and is very well-done. In many ways, I recommend this book to all chess players, because there is something so basic to chess theory, and easy to understand, about the Philidor, that it pays to study it. Plus, you will find many great 19th century games to review which include this opening. Kosten does a great job making this work entertaining, alive, with his suggestions and recommendations. A fine job by Batsford. Good bibliography and index as well. All in all, a great book.

Rating:
Summary: The defender's solution to 1 e4
Review: Many of us for years played the Philidor with the aid of few analytical materials beyond Bent Larsen's charming "Why Not the Philidor" and some discussion of the Hanham variation in the general openings books. Tony Kosten's Philidor book filled some important gaps, and certainly should not have fallen out of print. This is worth tracking down through the out of print service, for those who enjoy defending and closing positions down and don't enjoy learning Sicilian and Ruy variations. With this opening and a King's Gambit system, one essentially is ready for 1. e4. This opening is no longer as neglected as it once was, but still poses a fun weapon for ICC and swiss players, as most of our amateur opponents know only the few "easy kill" variations, and are not able to navigate the opening against the most basic variations set out in this book. Mr. Kosten's style is easy and clear--this book's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Best Reference Book available on a Neglected Opening
Review: This book is well thought out. It contains a number of well annotated games in virtually every sub-variation of the Philidor defense.

I played the philidor defense in tournament conditions over a period of about two years at the 1700-1800 USCF level. I found that players of the white pieces were not well equipped to handle the positions over-the-board with clocks ticking.

Frequently I was able to equalize (or even much better) fairly early in game.

I agree with the comments of the other reviewers in this regard.

The philidor may appeal to both stodgy, positional wood-pushers, and very agressive players as well. For example the philidor counter-gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5!?) is razor sharp and requires very accurate play (for both sides).

For the type of player that thinks Nimzovich was brilliant (a.k.a blockade, restrain, etc. etc.) the Hanham variation would appeal the most. (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6, etc.).

This is a good book on a very underrated opening. It could be used as a way to develop an very effective (and relatively low maintenance repertoire against 1. e4).